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22 March 2006

OHIO – As reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer News: "The advent of spring heralds the promise of a new cash crop for Ohio -- casinos.

"A deal may be imminent for a casino initiative on the November ballot, while the Eastern Shawnee tribe of Oklahoma is pushing new resort deals that could include settlement of its federal lawsuit against Ohio.

"Sources say owners of Ohio's seven racetracks are close to agreement with Forest City Enterprises Inc. and developer Jeff Jacobs over a November ballot issue that would ask voters to approve slots parlors at tracks, plus two sites in downtown Cleveland and one site in Cincinnati.

"But Cleveland's top business, labor and public officials are pushing for full-fledged casinos -- slots and table games.

"Track owners have proposed a compromise -- after four years, voters in the counties with the racetracks and slots parlors could vote to bring in table games, sources said…"